What's eating my primula × polyantha?

Primula × polyantha is targeted by vine weevils, aphids, slugs and snails, and spider mites. Outdoors, slugs and vine weevil grubs are the most destructive. Protect crowns with grit or copper tape, apply nematodes for weevil grubs, and use insecticidal soap for aphid colonies on stems and buds.

Notched leaf margins from adult beetles; wilting and plant collapse from white grubs eating roots Apply Steinernema kraussei nematodes to soil in late summer or early autumn; use vine weevil killer drenches containing imidacloprid as a last resort

Distorted, sticky flower buds and soft shoot tips; sooty mold follows honeydew deposits Blast off with a strong water jet; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings

Ragged holes chewed through leaves and flowers, especially at soil level overnight Surround pots with copper tape or grit; hand-pick at night; use ferric phosphate slug pellets (wildlife-safe)

Pale mottled leaves with fine webbing underneath, especially during dry spells indoors Raise humidity, mist leaves, spray with insecticidal soap; release predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) in greenhouses